Plan the perfect holiday cookie exchange with these great tips! From the invites to the refreshments, you’ll throw the best cookie swap in the neighborhood!
This post has been sponsored by Starbucks. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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How to Host the Best Cookie Exchange
The holidays, baking and entertaining just go together like winter and warm sweaters. And what better way to do all three than hosting the best cookie exchange?! It’s the perfect party to bring friends, family, and neighbors together in a sweet way!
At a cookie exchange, everyone bakes their favorite cookie and shares them with everyone else at the party. Pretty fun, right?! Plus, you get to sample the holiday treats, then trade and package them in delicious assortments that make great gifts.
I find the best part of a cookie swap is connecting with friends I haven’t seen in a while. We share a cup of coffee, Starbucks® Peppermint Mocha Flavored Coffee to be exact, and catch up. It’s what the holidays are all about.
Here are the best tips and advice so your cookie exchange is a success!
Send Out Invitations
Set a date & send invitations far enough in advance – three to four weeks is ideal. The holidays are busy, so you want to be sure your friends and family can all make it! You can send out traditional invitations or use an Evite.
Seven or eight people make the party manageable, yet gives you a really good variety of cookies. Of course, you can always have more!
In your cookie exchange invitation, you can ask each person to bring along copies of their recipe to share with the other guests, as well as some supplies for pretty packaging such as ribbons, tags, or boxes.
Choose Which Cookies to Bake
That’s the big question! What to bake. One of my favorites is these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies that get rave reviews – because who doesn’t like mint and chocolate?! There are so many recipes, but here are some great cookie exchange options everyone loves.
As a general guideline, everyone should bake a dozen cookies for each person attending. Then there are plenty for sharing, nibbling and enjoying with your coffee!
Create Cards for the Cookies
Since everyone is bringing different types of cookies, make cards with the names of the treats so people know what they are. It makes things simple and easy as cookies are being swapped!
Serve Refreshments
What better way to bring friends together than coffee?! Serve a seasonal blend like Starbucks® Peppermint Mocha Flavored Coffee. Your guests will love its bold peppermint flavor and chocolate undertones. Plus, it pairs perfectly with just about any cookie and is dreamy when topped with whipped cream!
It’s only available for a limited time this holiday season, so hurry to your local Albertsons and find it conveniently located in the coffee and tea aisle (hint: look for the seasonal packaging!). While you’re there, pick up all the food and entertaining supplies you need to host your cookie exchange.
Oh, if you’re a fan of K-Cup® pods, Starbucks® Peppermint Mocha Flavored Coffee is available in that form, too. So you’re totally covered no matter which way you enjoy your coffee!
As for snacks, consider offering a few savory appetizers and a veggie tray to keep things balanced with all the sweets.
Make a Festive Playlist
Create the ambiance you want by finding or creating a playlist with all your favorite holiday tunes that keep the party upbeat and fun.
Have a Place to Package Cookies
Clear a large table or counter and create a cookie packaging station. Whether you supply them all or have guests bring packing materials with them, have all the supplies they’ll need to take their treats home or gift them to others in one location. Think bags, boxes, plates, and bows!
Let’s get baking and Host the Best Cookie Exchange! And on the day of the party, brew plenty of Starbucks® Peppermint Mocha Flavored Coffee and clear a few tables for sampling, swapping, and packaging of fresh baked cookies!
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Holly says
What a fun and festive event to host around the holidays! I’m loving all the details on how to pull this off. And serving Starbucks Peppermint Mocha seems like the perfect accompaniment for all these sweet treats!
Erin says
Yes! You can’t go wrong with peppermint this time of year. I can’t wait to catch up with friends while sipping a freshly brewed cup of coffee!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
I’m so ready for all the cookie parties! And with these great tips, I may have to throw my own this year!
Erin says
I’m ready too! Bring on all the glorious cookies and coffee of course 🙂